Libyan militiamen attack anti-Islamist protesters

FILE - In this Sept. 14, 2012 file photo, Libyan military guards check one of the U.S. Consulate's burnt out buildings during a visit by Libyan President Mohammed el-Megarif, not shown, to the U.S. Consulate to express sympathy for the death of the American ambassador, Chris Stevens and his colleagues in the deadly attack on the Consulate in Benghazi, Libya. Senior State Department officials pressed for changes in the talking points that U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice used after the deadly attack on
— AP

FILE - In this Sept. 14, 2012 file photo, Libyan military guards check one of the U.S. Consulate's burnt out buildings during a visit by Libyan President Mohammed el-Megarif, not shown, to the U.S. Consulate to express sympathy for the death of the American ambassador, Chris Stevens and his colleagues in the deadly attack on the Consulate in Benghazi, Libya. Senior State Department officials pressed for changes in the talking points that U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice used after the deadly attack on
/ AP

TRIPOLI, Libya 
Scores of Libyan militiamen descended on an anti-Islamist rally in the nation's capital, Tripoli, kicking and beating protesters who had taken to the streets Friday as part of a call for mass demonstrations against the country's unruly militias and Muslim radicals.

Rallies also took place in two other Libyan cities, Benghazi and Tobruk, with hundreds of activists denouncing the armed thugs and decrying what they describe as political maneuverings by the nation's Muslim Brotherhood.

For nearly two weeks, Libya has been gripped by fear of new armed conflict after militias stormed and surrounded government buildings in Tripoli, blocking access to ministries in an attempt to push parliament to pass a contentious law that would prevent members of Moammar Gadhafi's regime from serving in senior government posts.

The turmoil appears to have sent jitters beyond Libya's borders, with the U.S. and Britain expressing concern over the prospects of continuous unrest in the North African country.

Libyan lawmakers approved the bill during the weekend, with guns still drawn on the streets, and the militias seemed to be gradually lifting their siege in the capital. But witnesses said they remained hunkered down inside the Foreign and Justice Ministry, paralyzing the institutions and preventing employees from coming to work.

Their show of force has left many Libyans fearful over the country's rocky transition to democracy.

In Tripoli, the day started peacefully, with activists marching in the streets with placards reading: "Law under the guns; constitution under fire" - a reference both to the recent siege and Libya's new constitution, which is to be drafted next year.

Others waved signs reading, "No to Moq Moq" - a term used by many for the militias but also a play on words since Moq is Arabic for "the foolish ones."

As the rally marched by the two ministry buildings, the militiamen descended and started hitting the protesters.

"They beat us up, women fled and a number of young men were seized and taken away," said Abdel-Moaz Banoun, one of the protesters. "We have no clue who took them or where they are now."

Banoun told The Associated Press a Foreign Ministry official was among those seized.

Justice Minister Salah al-Marghani, who had joined the protest, told Libya's Al-Ahrar TV network that the militiamen threatened him. "They told me I will be responsible for the bloodshed," he said.

The protesters then dispersed but said they will march again on Sunday.

The other two rallies Friday in Libya passed without violence. In the eastern city of Benghazi - the birthplace of the 2011 uprising that evolved into an eight-month-long civil war and ended with the ouster and killing of Gadhafi - hundreds protested against the Muslim Brotherhood.

The Islamist group is charged with engineering the new law, set to take effect in early June. The legislation could remove a whole class of post-Gadhafi officials - including the head of the current parliament, Mohammed al-Megarif.

While the law might also affect Brotherhood members and other ultraconservative Islamists, it would get rid of Brotherhood's top foe, Mahmoud Jibril, a liberal-leaning war-time prime minister and who enjoys wide popularity in the country.